Pavlov Flashcards
What was the aim of Pavlovs experiment?
Originally to learn about the salivation reflex however he noted that salivation in dogs only occurred in response to food or anything around the time they are about to be given food.
What was the procedure of Pavlovs experiment?
Took place in a soundproof chamber.
At first measured salivation through cannula to find levels after NS
then he paired the NS (buzz) With UCS (food) around 20 times . Then he measured the CS and measure the saliva levels.
What were Pavlovs findings?
An NS (buzzer) initially did not illicit a salivation response whereas the UCS caused immediate salvation. After pairing the NS and the UCS the NSA did illicit salivation.
Extinction of salvation could be seen as the volume of saliva declined after repeated presentations of the condition stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus.
What were the conclusions of Pavlov‘s findings?
A link in the brain is made between the unconditioned stimulus and a neutral stimulus that occurs just before the unconditioned stimulus. Pavlov called a signalisation which has survival value in preparing an organism for events.
Evaluate Pavlovs experiment G
(Negative) Animal studies:
Generalising from humans to dogs is questionable. We have different and more complicated brain structures. For example, we don’t have to search for food all of the time as it’s not a strong motive for us in the present.
Evaluate Pavlovs experiment R
Positive as he used a standardised procedure and even got other researchers to observe the dogs which increases interrater reliability.
Evaluate Pavlovs experiment A
Aversion Therapy
Positive for treatments for unwanted behaviour. Can be applied to socially negative behaviour like paedophilia as sexual arousal can be paired with pain such as a shock when looking at a photo of a child.
Evaluate Pavlovs experiment V
Positive as the experiment was carefully controlled. Making objective and scientifically credible as there were no other stimuli that were making the dog salivate.
Evaluate the ethics of Pavlovs experiment
(Negative) Animal Ethics
Research should be humane and his dogs were kept sealed up in small rooms wearing harnesses However ethics guidelines didn’t exist in the early 20th century and his research could outway the discomfort experienced by 35 dogs.
What was capafons et als procedure?
The participants were split into two groups the treatment group and the new treatment group. 41 adults with fear of flying took part in the treatment groups were matched for sex age and anxiety.
Each participant in the treatment condition had 12 to 15 one hour treatment sessions.
Each participant created their own desensitisation hierarchy.
They were exposed to the experience by using their own imagination, videos of flight situations and real situations. Participants were taught breathing techniques muscle relaxation and visualisation techniques.
How many participants were there in the capafons study?
41 adults with 24 females and 17 males. 
What was the group designs for capafons et als study?
Independent group design
How were the capafons et al groups Allocated?
They were matched based on sex age and anxiety levels.
What were the findings of capafons et als study?
In the new treatment control group there were no significant differences in any of the measures of anxiety. However in the treatment group 90% of participants had a significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety
What was the conclusion of capafons et al study?
These results indicate that systematic desensitisation is a highly effective treatment for fear of flying with a success rate of 90%.
